Meter-operating means



Ju ly 3, 1928. 1,675,919

G. BABCOCK IETER OPERATING IEANS Filed June 11 1921 W fiar/zmzwawz Patented July 3, 1928.

GABBISON BABCOCK, OF EVERETT, WASHINGTON.

METER-OPERATING MEANS.

Application filed June 11, 1921. Serial No. 476,712.

This invention relates to meter operating means, particularly to meter operating means for telephone systems and the like and its object is the provision of a generally improved and simplified electromagnetic meter operating mechanism.

The meter operating element of my present invention is powerful and of simple and rugged character. llhe invention employs two stationary operating coils of novel form and a pair of permanent magnets of novel form in which the magnetism is well retained. The armature is pivoted between the magnets and adapted to swing from one diagonal position to another diagonal position in line with unlike poles of the magnetic, the armature being preferably of a length less than the distance between the'magnets and free of the magnet poles at its opposite ends.

In order to explain more fully to those skilled in the art how to construct and practice my invention, I shall now describe, in connection with the accompanying drawings, a particular embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view, partly diagrammatic, of a meter embodying my invention; and,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 22 of Figure 1. a I

The meter 6, which is shown on an enlarged scale in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a pair of permanent magnets of general horse shoe form 11 and 12, these magnets having their olesbrought relatively near each other. .2 non-polarized armature 13, pivoted centrally as indicated at 14, is adapted to be moved back and forth before the poles of the permanent magnets 11 and 12, in accordance with the controlling polarity of the coils 7 and 8. The coils 7 and 8 surround the armature 13 at opposite sides of the center 14 respectively. These coils are formed of a flattened frustro-conical shape, both inside and outside, with the smaller ends of the bores 15 and 16 adjacent the con tral pivot 14, and lying in such manner as to permit free movement of the armature 13 about the pivot 14 in swinging from one pair of dissimilar poles of the permanent magnets 11 and 12 to the other pair of (118- similar poles of; said permanent magnets.

These coils 7 and 8 are preferably so connected and mounted in the line wires that they tend to produce the proper polarity ating arm 17 to swing the member 18 aboutthis pivot. The lower portion of the member 18 comprises a double ratchet member 21, which operates a star-wheel 22, this starwheel preferably having forty teeth, and be ing connected in turn by suitable mechanism, such as Geneva gears, to the indicating devices 24, and 26 for indicating the successive multiples of the counts registered upon the units wheel 23. The pawl 21 and star Wheel 22 provide an actuating device or escapement, which requires two movements, namely, a complete reciprocation of the element 18 for a unitary advance of the star wheel 22;.that is to say, the armature 13 must be swung completely to one extreme position, and thereafter swung to the completely opposite position, in order to register acount upon the units wheel 23. The operation of an escapement of this type is wellknown in the art, and need not be further elaborated upon here. In fact, I do not intend to limit the invention to this particu'-' lar type of escapement or actuating device, as an operating device requiring a complete traverse of the armature 13 may be employed.

The normal current on the lines connected to the coils 7 and 8 moves the armature 13 of the telechronometer 6 to the position shown in full lines in Figure 1. A reversal of current on the line will cause the armature 13 to move to the opposite position, thereby completing the cycle of operat on necessary to make a registration on the telechronometer 6.

As above explained, the normal potential of current on the calling line moves the armature 13 of the telechronometer to the position shown in full lines in Figure 1.; When reversed current is projected over the calling line, the armature 13 assumes the position opposite that shown in full lines in Figure 1, whereupon a complete movement of the armature having been accomplished, the star wheel 22 will advance the register by one count.

The placing of the two coils ofthe telechronometer in the two sides of the telephone line balances the circuit so that better transmission results and more positive operation is secured. In addition, the arrangement of these coils is highly advantageous, since they occupy very little room in the housing in which they are placed, which is preferably the ringer box or a similar container. The close spacing of the poles of the electromagnets 11 and 12 is highly advan-' tageous, in that they tend to retain their magnetism better. The armature 13 needs to have very little throw to move from one extreme position to the other, and yet the operation is positive and certain. The pur pose of the double fork member 18 is to transmit the motion of the armature 13 to the registering or counting apparatus. The fork 20 which cooperates with the actuating arm 17 permits of a slight play between these parts, such play being advantageous in permitting the armature 13 to acquire sufiicient momentum to start the double fork member 18 in case of any tendency to stick. That is to say, the operating oractuating arm 17 delivers a slight hammer blow to the fork member 20, thereby moving it positively and quickly.

I do not intend to'be limited to the precise details of construction shown and described.

I claim:

1. In combination, a permanent magnet having its poles brought relatively close together, a second permanent magnet having its poles brought relatively close together and facing opposite poles of said first magnet, and an armature pivoted between said magnets and adapted to swing from one diagonal position to another diagonal position in line with unlike poles of said magnets, said armature being of a length less than the distance between said magnets and free of the magnet poles at its opposite ends and magnet polesat its opposite ends, the endsv of the armature being swingable through distances greater than the distances between the adjacent magnet poles, and a pair of frusto-conieal shaped coils surrounding said armature one on each side of said pivot with the internally smaller ends of said" coils adjacent the armature pivot. I

3. In combination, a permanent magnet of general horse-shoe form, a bar armature adapted to swing from one pole of said mag net to the other pole of said magnet, a series polarizing coil surrounding said armature, said armature being pivoted and said coil lying between said pivot and the permanent magnet, the armature at its coil end terminating short of the poles of the magnet and free of said magnet poles in all positions of the armature and the end of the armature being swingable through a distance greater than the distance between the adjacent poles of the magnet. 1

In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 2nd day of June, A. D., 1921.

GARRISON BABCOCK. 

